United States: Welcoming the New Year in Philadelphia

During the morning of January 1st, 2005, tens of thousands of people gathered in downtown Philadelphia to participate in the annual "Mummer's Day Parade." This New Year's Day tradition has over 100 years of history in Philadelphia. It originated in medieval Europe, and was brought to Philadelphia by early immigrants. It has become a special way for people in Philadelphia, South New Jersey, and Delaware to celebrate the New Year.

The parade starts on Broad Street, and ends at City Hall, and the streets are packed with enthusiastic and jubilant spectators. Amidst the parade, the Falun Gong practitioners' contingent with the theme of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" was quite eye catching. They were the only Chinese group that participated in the parade. Falun Gong practitioners performed a dragon dance, celestial maidens' scattering flowers, a fan dance, and a Falun Gong exercise demonstration. Their performance won warm applause from spectators. People shouted joyously, "Bravo!" and waved their hands to express their appreciation to practitioners for bringing Chinese traditional culture and "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" to the western community.

Reporters took many pictures, and some of them said they had noticed practitioners last year, and taken many good pictures. When the Falun Gong contingent passed by the judge's, the host introduced, "Falun Gong represents China's most outstanding culture. It is the gift China presents to the world, but it is subjected to persecution in China."

Practitioners demonstrated the five sets of exercises on the float, while a recording introduced the Falun Gong exercises, the persecution imposed upon Falun Gong practitioners by Jiang's group in China, and Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to call for people to uphold justice through various activities. TV Station WB17 broadcast the parade live, and also included the introduction of Falun Gong, allowing tens of thousands of viewers to learn more about the facts of Falun Gong.

The Jiang's group's persecution of Falun Gong has entered the sixth year, and more and more people have showed concern over the Falun Gong issue.

A Westerner who came with his family from Texas said, "They are great! I see 'peace', 'kindness', 'love', and beautiful 'sitting meditation', I also practise sitting meditation, and I know the positive effects of being peaceful and tranquil. I know Falun Gong is being persecuted by the Party, I pray for them." Another man said, "Their performances are superb. I'm glad that they can freely perform here. They should not be persecuted! This is a free country, and everyone should come together."

Local Chinese were satisfied with Falun Gong practitioners' excellent performance. Three elderly Chinese women watched the New Year's Day parade for the first time, and when they saw Dragon Dance, they were so excited, and said, "We like to see the dragon dance. Wonderful! Happy New Year!" An Indonesian Chinese family of six came and said, "We know Falun Gong is being persecuted in China, and we are sad about it. Happy New Year!"

Practitioners participating in this parade were from the greater Philadelphia area, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Washington DC. A Western practitioner from Philadelphia said that he was glad to participate and that Falun Gong' s principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" has touched the hearts of more and more people. A practitioner from Delaware said, "It's the third time we have participated in Philadelphia's Mummer's Day Parade. We introduced China's most outstanding tradition and culture to the Western community. As a Chinese, I'm very proud of doing so."

After the parade, practitioners gathered at Love Heart Park for a group photo, to express their gratitude for Master's benevolent and arduous salvation, and wish revered Master a Happy New Year!

Falun Gong practitioners from the greater Philadelphia area also thanked practitioners from other areas for their support and help, and wished practitioners around the world a Happy New Year! More diligently strive forward!